Low-cost carrier SpiceJet today said it will launch a flight service from Kolkata to Kathmandu, connecting West Bengal’s tourist hotspot Bagdogra, from next month.

The airline has offered an introductory promotional fare of Rs 99, excluding taxes for Bagdogra-Kathmandu segment of the journey, for the new flight which is scheduled to commence operations from August 13, SpiceJet said in a release.

The introductory promotional fare for Kolkata-Kathmandu journey, however, will be Rs 4,289, excluding taxes, it said.

The offer for Kathmandu will be valid on the first 1,000 seats sold on a first come-first served basis, the airline said.

The new flight will also reinforce the existing seven weekly frequencies operated by SpiceJet on Kolkata-Bagdogra sector, taking the frequency on this sector to 10 weekly.

Introductory fares for the Kolkata–Bagdogra sector on this new flight start at Rs 1,875 plus statutory taxes and fees, the release said.

The bookings for the proposed flight, which will operate three times a week, have already commenced, it said.

With the introduction of this flight, SpiceJet will become the first Indian airline to operate internationally from Bagdogra, the release said.

This new flight is in addition to the 11 weekly direct flights SpiceJet already operates on Delhi-Kathmandu route.

The Bagdogra service will help the people in the Darjeeling region as well as those living in Kolkata and provide them comfortable connectivity with Nepal’s capital city, the release said.

“This is our first international flight from the state of West Bengal. We believe this flight will not only facilitate tourism, but also be important for the growth of trade between the two neighbouring nations,” SpiceJet Chief Commercial Officer Kaneswaran Avili said.

SpiceJet, the country’s second largest budget carrier, currently operates more than 340 daily flights to 48 destinations, which includes 41 Indian cities and seven international destinations.